Men's Hoop Drops Non-Conference Finale to Hofstra

The Central Connecticut men's basketball team fell to 2-11 overall on the season with an 84-56 loss at home to Hofstra in the final non-conference game of the season.  Hofstra improves to 9-4 with the victory.  Senior Faronte Drakeford led the Blue Devils with 20 points and eight rebounds in the game.

The game is the final non-conference game of the year for the Blue Devils who will begin their 18-game Northeast Conference schedule at home on Saturday vs. Fairleigh Dickinson at 3:30 p.m.  Following Saturday's game Central will play at Sacred Heart on Monday, Mount St. Mary's on Thursday and back home vs. Robert Morris on Saturday, January 10.

Drakeford matched his season-high with 20 points in the game, and was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.  He was 7-of-19 from the field and added three assists.  Sophomore Matt Mobley finished with 16 points and hit a pair of threes.  Junior Brandon Peel added six points and eight boards.  Junior Corey Barrett had six and six in the loss.

The Pride led 47-25 at halftime and by as many as 25 in the first half after shooting 19-of-35 from the field and 9-of-19 from three.  Central struggled from the field making just 10-of-31 and 1-of-8 from three in the half.  Drakeford led Central with 10 points but played only 11 minutes after picking up his second foul.

Seven Hofstra players scored before halftime, led by 11 points from Dion Nesmith.  Four players had eight or more points in the period and five hit from three.  They had 11 assists on 19 baskets.  The Blue Devils had 11 turnovers that led to 15 Hofstra points.

Central held a 40-34 advantage in rebounds in the game, including 18 on the offensive side of the floor.  It led to 22 second chance points for the Blue Devils.  They turned the ball over just six times in the second half and had four steals in the game.

Juan-Ya Green led Hofstra with 19 points and six rebounds.  Ameen Tanksley added 15 and seven as five Pride players scored in double-figures.  They made just one three in the second half after hitting nine in the first half.

The Blue Devils will open the Northeast Conference season at home on Saturday hosting Fairleigh Dickinson beginning at 3:30 p.m.  The women's team will play the Knights first at 1 p.m. in the NEC Doubleheader in Detrick Gym.